Seat assembly actuatable for potential vehicle impact

ABSTRACT

A vehicle seat assembly is provided with a seat bottom that is adapted to be mounted to a vehicle floor. A seatback is adapted to be pivotally mounted adjacent to the seat bottom. An actuator is in cooperation with the seat bottom or the seatback. A controller is in electrical communication with the actuator and programmed to receive input indicative of a potential vehicle impact. In response to receiving the input indicative of the potential vehicle impact, the controller outputs a signal to the actuator to tilt the seatback, or to tilt the seat bottom.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various embodiments relate to seat assemblies that are actuated inresponse to a potential vehicle impact.

BACKGROUND

In 2015, 33.4 percent of all police-reported crashes involved a rear-endcollision with another vehicle. Collision Warning Systems (CWS) alert adriver of such a collision, when a potential or an imminent crash isdetected. If the warning system detects that the occupant is notresponding or not responding with adequate braking or will not be ableto respond in time, an automatic emergency braking (AEB) system eithersupplements driver's braking or automatically applies brakes to slow orstop the car.

SUMMARY

According to at least one embodiment, a vehicle seat assembly isprovided with a seat bottom that is adapted to be mounted to a vehiclefloor. A seatback is adapted to be pivotally mounted adjacent to theseat bottom. An actuator is in cooperation with the seat bottom or theseatback. A controller is in electrical communication with the actuatorand programmed to receive input indicative of a potential vehicleimpact. In response to receiving the input indicative of the potentialvehicle impact, the controller outputs a signal to the actuator to tiltthe seatback, or to tilt the seat bottom.

According to a further embodiment, the controller is further programmedto output a signal to the actuator to tilt the seatback rearward inresponse to receiving the input indicative of the potential vehicleimpact.

According to an even further embodiment, the controller is furtherprogrammed to output a signal to the actuator to tilt the seatbackrearward by approximately nine degrees in response to receiving theinput indicative of the potential vehicle impact.

According to another even further embodiment, the controller is furtherprogrammed to output a signal to the actuator to tilt the seat bottomupward in response to receiving the input indicative of the potentialvehicle impact.

According to another further embodiment, the controller is furtherprogrammed to output a signal to the actuator to tilt the seat bottomupward in response to receiving the input indicative of the potentialvehicle impact.

According to an even further embodiment, the controller is furtherprogrammed to output a signal to the actuator to tilt the seat bottomupward by approximately ten degrees in response to receiving the inputindicative of the potential vehicle impact.

According to another further embodiment, the controller is furtherprogrammed to receive input indicative of an avoided vehicle impact andoutput a signal to the actuator to return the seat bottom or theseatback to a previous seating position in response to receipt of theinput indicative of the avoided vehicle impact.

According to another further embodiment, a second actuator is incooperation with the seat bottom and the vehicle floor to adjust aposition of the seat bottom in a fore and aft direction, or incooperation with a foot pedal to adjust the foot pedal. The controlleris further programmed to receive input indicative of a change in contactof the foot pedal and output a signal to the second actuator to move theseat bottom forward or to move the foot pedal.

According to another embodiment, a land vehicle is provided with avehicle floor and at least one impact sensor. A vehicle controller is incommunication with the land vehicle to control travel of the landvehicle, and in communication with the at least one impact sensor tooutput a signal indicative of a potential vehicle impact. At least onevehicle seat assembly is provided with a seat bottom that is mounted tothe vehicle floor. A seatback is adapted to be pivotally mountedadjacent to the seat bottom. An actuator is in cooperation with the seatbottom or the seatback. A controller is in electrical communication withthe vehicle controller and the actuator and is programmed to receiveinput indicative of a potential vehicle impact. In response to receivingthe input indicative of the potential vehicle impact, the controlleroutputs a signal to the actuator to tilt the seatback rearward, or totilt the seat bottom upward.

According to another embodiment, a computer-program product is embodiedin a non-transitory computer readable medium that is programmed toautomatically adjust a seat assembly. The computer-program productincludes instructions to receive input indicative of a potential vehicleimpact and output a signal to an actuator in cooperation with a seatbottom or a seatback of the seat assembly to tilt the seatback or totilt the seat bottom in response to receiving the input indicative ofthe potential vehicle impact.

According to a further embodiment, the computer-program product includesfurther instructions to output a signal to the actuator to tilt theseatback rearward in response to receiving the input indicative of thepotential vehicle impact.

According to an even further embodiment, the computer-program productincludes further instructions to output a signal to the actuator to tiltthe seatback rearward by approximately nine degrees in response toreceiving the input indicative of the potential vehicle impact.

According to another even further embodiment, the computer-programproduct includes further instructions to output a signal to the actuatorto tilt the seat bottom upward in response to receiving the inputindicative of the potential vehicle impact.

According to another further embodiment, the computer-program productincludes further instructions to output a signal to the actuator to tiltthe seat bottom upward in response to receiving the input indicative ofthe potential vehicle impact.

According to an even further embodiment, the computer-program productincludes further instructions to output a signal to the actuator to tiltthe seat bottom upward by approximately ten degrees in response toreceiving the input indicative of the potential vehicle impact.

According to another further embodiment, the computer-program productincludes further instructions to receive input indicative of an avoidedvehicle impact and output a signal to the actuator to return the seatbottom or the seatback to a previous seating position in response toreceipt of the input indicative of the avoided vehicle impact.

According to another further embodiment, the computer-program productincludes further instructions to receive input indicative of a change incontact of a foot pedal and output a signal to a second actuator to movethe seat bottom forward or to move the foot pedal.

According to another embodiment, a vehicle seat assembly is providedwith a seat bottom adapted to be mounted to a vehicle floor. A seatbackis adapted to be pivotally mounted adjacent to the seat bottom. A firstactuator is in cooperation with the seatback. A second actuator is incooperation with the seat bottom. A controller is in electricalcommunication with the first actuator and the second actuator and isprogrammed to receive input indicative of a potential vehicle impact. Inresponse to receiving the input indicative of the potential vehicleimpact, a signal is output to the first actuator to tilt the seatbackrearward by approximately nine degrees. In response to receiving theinput indicative of the potential vehicle impact, a signal is output tothe second actuator to tilt the seat bottom upward by approximately tendegrees. Input indicative of an avoided vehicle impact is received. Asignal is output to the first actuator to return the seatback to aprevious seating position in response to receipt of the input indicativeof the avoided vehicle impact. A signal is output to the second actuatorto return the seat bottom to the previous seating position in responseto receipt of the input indicative of the avoided vehicle impact.

According to a further embodiment, a second actuator is in cooperationwith the seat bottom and the vehicle floor to adjust a position of theseat bottom in a fore and aft direction, or in cooperation with a footpedal to adjust the foot pedal. The controller is further programmed toreceive input indicative of a change in contact of a foot pedal and tooutput a signal to the second actuator to move the seat bottom forwardor to move the foot pedal.

According to another embodiment, a land vehicle is provided with avehicle floor and at least one impact sensor. A vehicle controller is incommunication with the land vehicle to control travel of the landvehicle, and in communication with the at least one impact sensor tooutput a signal indicative of a potential vehicle impact. At least onevehicle seat assembly is provided with a seat bottom mounted to thevehicle floor. A seatback is adapted to be pivotally mounted adjacent tothe seat bottom. A first actuator is in cooperation with the seatback. Asecond actuator is in cooperation with the seat bottom. A controller isin electrical communication with the first actuator and the secondactuator and the vehicle controller and is programmed to receive inputindicative of a potential vehicle impact. In response to receiving theinput indicative of the potential vehicle impact, a signal is output tothe first actuator to tilt the seatback rearward by approximately ninedegrees. In response to receiving the input indicative of the potentialvehicle impact, a signal is output to the second actuator to tilt theseat bottom upward by approximately ten degrees. Input indicative of anavoided vehicle impact is received. A signal is output to the firstactuator to return the seatback to a previous seating position inresponse to receipt of the input indicative of the avoided vehicleimpact. A signal is output to the second actuator to return the seatbottom to the previous seating position in response to receipt of theinput indicative of the avoided vehicle impact.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a seat assembly illustratedschematically in a seating position in a vehicle environment accordingto an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation schematic view of an occupant in the seatassembly of FIG. 1, illustrated at an initial time prior to an impactcondition;

FIG. 3 is another side elevation schematic view of the occupant in theseat assembly of FIG. 1, illustrated at an intermediate time prior to animpact condition;

FIG. 4 is another side elevation schematic view of the occupant in theseat assembly of FIG. 1, illustrated during an impact condition;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation schematic view of an occupant in the seatassembly of FIG. 1, illustrated during another impact condition;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation schematic view of the occupant in the seatassembly of FIG. 1, illustrated during another impact condition;

FIG. 7 is a graph of a distance between a head an airbag of theoccupants of FIGS. 5 and 6 graphed over time during impact conditions;and

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method for adjusting the seat assembly ofFIG. 1, according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosedherein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodimentsare merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in variousand alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; somefeatures may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particularcomponents. Therefore, specific structural and functional detailsdisclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as arepresentative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variouslyemploy the present invention.

Collision Warning Systems (CWS) have been utilized in the prior art toalert the driver when a potential or an imminent rear-end collision isdetected. Under certain conditions, the CWS may initiate the automaticemergency braking (AEB) system to supplement the braking applied by thedriver or to automatically apply brakes to slow or stop the car.However, rapid deceleration caused by the AEB could change theoccupant's relationship to an airbag that is deployed in front of theoccupant in the event of a crash eventually occurring.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a seat assembly 20 is illustrated, whichemploys an Occupant Pre-position System (OPS) to pre-position theoccupant relative to an airbag in a potential or imminent impactcondition. For example, when the OPS may pre-position the occupant byrapidly tilting an occupant. The occupant may be tilted by an automatedtilting of the seat assembly 20, or by actuating one or more componentsof the seat assembly 20.

The seat assembly 20 includes a seat bottom or cushion 22 that isconnected to a vehicle floor 24. A seatback 26 extends at an angle fromthe seat cushion 22 to support a back of a seated occupant 28. The seatassembly 20 includes a seat cushion tilt actuator 30 in cooperation withthe seat cushion 22 and the vehicle floor 24 to tilt at least a portionof the seat cushion 22 relative to the vehicle floor 24. The seatassembly 20 also includes a seatback tilt actuator 32 in cooperationwith the seat cushion 22 and the seatback 26 to tilt the seatback 26relative to the seat cushion 22. The tilt actuators 30, 32 may bemotor-driven actuators with gear-trains as known in the art.

A controller 34 is in electrical communication with the seat cushiontilt actuator 30 and the seatback tilt actuator 32 to control theoperation of the actuators 30, 32. The controller 34 may be a modulewithin a vehicle controller 36. Alternatively, the controller 34 may bedisposed within or under the vehicle seat assembly 20. The methodologyof the controller 34 may be stored on a physical module or may be storedon any computer-program product that may be embodied in a non-transitoryreadable medium that is programmed to automatically adjust the seatassembly 20.

The controller 34 may operate to tilt the seat cushion 22 and or theseatback 26 of the seat assembly 20 in response to operator instructionsthrough a user interface. Alternatively, the seat assembly 20 may permitmanual adjustments, whereby the actuators 30, 32 only pivot the seatassembly 20 under predefined conditions set forth in the controller 34.

The seat controller 34 is in communication with the vehicle controller36. The vehicle controller 36 is in communication with various vehiclesafety features, including impact sensors 38. The vehicle controller 36receives input from the impact sensors 38 that indicate that a vehicleimpact is potentially imminent. This information is communicated to thevehicle seat assembly controller 34. The seat assembly controller 34processes the impact information in order to control the actuators 30,32 and adjust the seat assembly 20 to a predefined seat orientationdepending upon the impact condition. For example, if a potential rearimpact condition is detected, the seat assembly controller 34 may adjustthe actuators 30, 32 to tilt the seatback 26 rearward and/or tilt atleast a portion of the seat cushion 22 upward.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates the seat assembly 20 in a pre-AEBoccupant pre-position, with a time t₁ of zero seconds, and a velocity Vof an associated land vehicle of thirty miles per hour (MPH). In thisposition, the seat cushion 22 is in an initial position, with a tiltangle α₁ of the seat cushion 22 of zero degrees relative to the initialposition. Likewise, the seatback 26 is oriented at an initial position,whereby a tilt angle Θ₁ of the seatback 26 is zero degrees relative tothe initial position. In the initial position, a head vector of theoccupant 28 is generally horizontal, and the head of the occupant isspaced an initial distance xi from a housing of an undeployed airbag,such as a steering wheel 40. In the depicted example, the spacingdistance xi from the airbag housing 40 to the head of the occupant 28 is425 millimeters (mm).

At time t₁, a potential impact is detected by the sensors 38, which iscommunicated to the vehicle controller 36, and the seat assemblycontroller 34. The seat assembly controller 34 operates the actuators30, 32. FIG. 3 illustrates the seat assembly 20 in the occupantpre-position after a rapid seatback 26 rearward tilt and a rapid cushion22 upward tilt. The time t₂ is 800 milliseconds (ms), and the velocity Vof the vehicle is still thirty MPH. In this position, the seat cushion22 is actuated, with the tilt angle α₂ of the seat cushion 22 increasedfrom the initial position. One suitable example for the increase of thetilt angle α₂ is ten degrees, or approximately ten degrees, which iswithin a couple degrees of the target ten degrees. Although an increasedtilt angle α₂ of ten degrees is illustrated and described, any suitabletilt angle α₂ increase may be employed. The entire seat cushion 22 isillustrated tilted relative to the initial tilt angle α₁. However, aportion of the seat cushion 22 may be actuated to provide the tilt, suchas a front portion of the seat cushion 22.

FIG. 3 illustrates the seatback 26 oriented a tilt angle Θ₂ of theseatback 26 at nine degrees relative to the initial position. In thisintermediate position, the head vector of the occupant 28 is increasedabove horizontal, and the head of the occupant is spaced further apartat distance x₂ from the airbag housing 40. Although an increased tiltangle Θ₂ of nine degrees is illustrated and described, any suitable tiltangle Θ₂ increase is contemplated, or approximately nine degrees, whichis within a couple degrees of the target nine degrees. Although the seatassembly 20 is illustrated with the seat cushion 22 tilted and theseatback 26 tilted, each of these components can be tilted separately.

After time t₂, a rear impact is experienced by the vehicle. FIG. 4illustrates the seat assembly 20 in the occupant pre-position and theoccupant in reaction to the impact condition. The time t₃ is t₂ plus1200 ms, or 2000 ms; and the velocity V of the vehicle is reduced tozero MPH. In this position, the seat cushion 22 has a tilt angle α₃ thatis equal to the actuated tilt angle α₂ of the seat cushion 22. Theseatback 26 is oriented at tilt angle Θ₃ that is equal to the actuatedtilt angle Θ₂ of the seatback 26. In this intermediate position, thehead vector of the occupant 28 is decreased below horizontal to targetthe airbag housing 40. The head of the occupant is decreased to distancex₃ from the airbag housing 40.

FIG. 5 illustrates the seat assembly 20 in a frontal impact conditionwithout employing the pre-position system. In this Figure, the time ist₃, or 2000 ms after the potential crash is detected, and 1200 ms aftera frontal impact. However, the seat cushion 22 and the seatback 26 havenot been actuated and are at the initial positions without increasedtilt angles α₁, Θ₁. In this position, an angle of head of the occupant28 relative to the airbag housing 40 is labeled as Y-proj and has avalue of approximately 40.5 degrees. The 2000 ms timeframe forpositioning of the seat assembly 20 for a frontal impact is by way ofexample. The period between detection t₁, actuation t₂, and response toimpact t₃ is commonly within a range of 1800 ms to 2200 ms.

FIG. 6 illustrates the seat assembly 20 in the frontal impact conditionwith utilization of the pre-position system. The time is t₃, which is2000 ms after the potential crash is detected, and 1200 ms after thefrontal impact. The seat cushion 22 is rapidly tilted to the increasedtilt angle α₃. The seatback 26 is rapidly tilted to the increased tiltangles, Θ₃. In this position, the angle Y-proj of the head of theoccupant 28 relative to the airbag housing 40 has a value ofapproximately thirty-two degrees. Comparing FIG. 5 of the baselineposition of the seat assembly 20 to the pre-position actuated seat ofFIG. 6, a difference between the angles of the head vectors is 8.5degrees less in FIG. 6. Therefore, the pre-position system may beemployed to result in lest rotation of the head of the occupant in afrontal impact condition.

FIG. 7 illustrates a graph of distance x₁, x₂, x₃ between the head ofthe occupant 28 and the airbag 40 location in mm on the ordinate orvertical axis, versus time in ms on the abscissa or horizontal axis. Thedistance x₁, x₂, x₃ for the baseline seat assembly 20 without actuationis graphed at line 42 with the position at time t₃ depicted in FIG. 5.The distance x₁, x₂, x₃ for the seat assembly 20 utilizing OPS isgraphed at line 44 with the position at time t₃ depicted in FIG. 6.

As illustrated in the graph of FIG. 7, the OPS system of the seatassembly 20 begins by repositioning the seat assembly 20, whichconsequently moves the head of the occupant 28 an additional eighty-fivemm away from the airbag target 40 at time t₂. At time t₃ the head of theoccupant 28 is an additional 100 mm away from the airbag target 40 forthe seat assembly 20 utilizing OPS (line 44 in FIG. 7, position depictedin FIG. 6) than the seat assembly 20 with the baseline position (line 42in FIG. 7, position depicted in FIG. 5). The OPS can be utilized tocontrol a seat assembly 20 to position the head of the occupant 28 at apreferred orientation (vector) and distance relative to the airbagtarget 40 prior to impact with the airbag.

Referring again to FIG. 6, when the OPS adjusts the seat assembly 20, afoot of the occupant 28 may be moved relative to a brake pedal 46. Thevehicle sensors 38 (FIG. 1) may include a sensor 38 in cooperation withthe brake pedal 46 to detect a change in contact or a loss of contactbetween the foot of the occupant 28 and the brake pedal 46.Alternatively, an onboard camera or other suitable detector may beemployed to monitor the contact of the foot of the occupant 28 with thebrake pedal 46.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the seat assembly 20 may include a linearactuator 48 in cooperation with the seat cushion 22 and the vehiclefloor 24 for linear actuation of the seat assembly 20 according to anembodiment. The linear actuator 48 may be utilized for longitudinaladjustment of the seat assembly 20 in a fore and aft direction of thevehicle. In response to detection of a change or loss of contact of thefoot of the occupant 28 to the brake pedal 46, the vehicle controller 36may convey this information to the seat assembly controller 34, whichmay adjust the actuator 48 to move the seat assembly 20 forward todecrease a distance between the foot of the occupant 28 and the brakepedal 46. This adjustment may improve the manual control of braking ofthe vehicle by the occupant 28. Alternatively, the pedal 46 can beadjusted accordingly. The interaction of the pedal 46 with the foot maybe controlled by the OPS or under a separate controller or system.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, the sensors 38 may also detect if animpact is avoided. If so, the seat assembly controller 34 may return theseat assembly 20 to the initial tilt angles α₁, Θ₁.

FIG. 8 illustrates the OPS method according to an embodiment. At block60, the sensors 38 detect a potential or imminent impact. In response tothe detected potential impact, at block 62, the seat assembly controller34 operates the recline actuator 32 to tilt the seatback 26 with anincreased tilt angle α₂. Also, in response, at block 64, the seatassembly controller 34 operates the tilt actuator 30 to tilt the seatcushion 22 with an increased tilt angle Θ₂. If a potential impact is notdetected, then block 60 is repeated.

According to one embodiment, at block 62, the seat assembly controller34 operates the recline actuator 32 to tilt the seatback 26 with theincreased tilt angle α₂ only. According to another embodiment, at block64, the seat assembly controller 34 operates the tilt actuator 30 totilt the seat cushion 22 with the increased tilt angle Θ₂ only.According to another embodiment, both blocks 62 and 64 are performedwhereby the seat assembly controller 34 operates the recline actuator 32to tilt the seatback 26 with the increased tilt angle α₂, and the seatassembly controller 34 operates the tilt actuator 30 to tilt the seatcushion 22 with the increased tilt angle Θ₂.

As discussed above, the adjustment based on contact with the foot pedal46 is an alternative option. Likewise, blocks 66 and 68 are depicted inbroken lines. If no adjustment is provided by the OPS, then blocks 66and 68 are skipped and the OPS proceeds to block 70.

For the depicted embodiment, at block 66, the sensors 38 detect if thereis a change in contact with the occupant 28 and the brake pedal 46. Ifso, the seat assembly 20 is moved forward by the actuator 48 by the seatassembly controller 34 at block 68. Alternatively, the pedal 46 isadjusted toward the seat assembly 20. Then the method proceeds todecision block 70. If a change in foot pedal contact is not detected atblock 66, then at decision block 70, the sensors 38 determine if theimpact was avoided. If the sensors 38 do not detect that the potentialimpact was avoided, then decision block 70 is repeated. If the impact isavoided, the seatback 26 is returned at block 72 to the initial reclineangle α₁. If the impact is avoided, the seat cushion 22 is also returnedto the initial tilt angle Θ₁ at block 74. After returning to the initialtilt positions α₁, Θ₁, the method is repeated at decision block 60.

While various embodiments are described above, it is not intended thatthese embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather,the words used in the specification are words of description rather thanlimitation, and it is understood that various changes may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may becombined to form further embodiments of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle seat assembly comprising: a seat bottomadapted to be mounted to a vehicle floor; a seatback adapted to bepivotally mounted adjacent to the seat bottom; an actuator incooperation with the seat bottom or the seatback; and a controller inelectrical communication with the actuator and programmed to: receiveinput indicative of a potential vehicle impact, and in response toreceiving the input indicative of the potential vehicle impact, output asignal to the actuator to tilt the seatback, or to tilt the seat bottom.2. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1 wherein the controller isfurther programmed to output a signal to the actuator to tilt theseatback rearward in response to receiving the input indicative of thepotential vehicle impact.
 3. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 2wherein the controller is further programmed to output a signal to theactuator to tilt the seatback rearward by approximately nine degrees inresponse to receiving the input indicative of the potential vehicleimpact.
 4. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 2 wherein the controlleris further programmed to output a signal to the actuator to tilt theseat bottom upward in response to receiving the input indicative of thepotential vehicle impact.
 5. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1wherein the controller is further programmed to output a signal to theactuator to tilt the seat bottom upward in response to receiving theinput indicative of the potential vehicle impact.
 6. The vehicle seatassembly of claim 5 wherein the controller is further programmed tooutput a signal to the actuator to tilt the seat bottom upward byapproximately ten degrees in response to receiving the input indicativeof the potential vehicle impact.
 7. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1wherein the controller is further programmed to: receive inputindicative of an avoided vehicle impact; and output a signal to theactuator to return the seat bottom or the seatback to a previous seatingposition in response to receipt of the input indicative of the avoidedvehicle impact.
 8. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1 furthercomprising a second actuator in cooperation with the seat bottom and thevehicle floor to adjust a position of the seat bottom in a fore and aftdirection, or in cooperation with a foot pedal to adjust the foot pedal;and wherein the controller is further programmed to: receive inputindicative of a change in contact of the foot pedal, and output a signalto the second actuator to move the seat bottom forward or to move thefoot pedal.
 9. A land vehicle comprising: a vehicle floor; at least oneimpact sensor; a vehicle controller in communication with the landvehicle to control travel of the land vehicle, and in communication withthe at least one impact sensor to output a signal indicative of apotential vehicle impact; and at least one seat assembly according toclaim 1 mounted to the vehicle floor, wherein the seat assemblycontroller is in communication with the vehicle controller.
 10. Acomputer-program product embodied in a non-transitory computer readablemedium that is programmed to automatically adjust a seat assembly, thecomputer-program product comprising instructions to: receive inputindicative of a potential vehicle impact; and output a signal to anactuator in cooperation with a seat bottom or a seatback of the seatassembly to tilt the seatback or to tilt the seat bottom in response toreceiving the input indicative of the potential vehicle impact.
 11. Thecomputer-program product of claim 10 further comprising instructions tooutput a signal to the actuator to tilt the seatback rearward inresponse to receiving the input indicative of the potential vehicleimpact.
 12. The computer-program product of claim 11 further comprisinginstructions to output a signal to the actuator to tilt the seatbackrearward by approximately nine degrees in response to receiving theinput indicative of the potential vehicle impact.
 13. Thecomputer-program product of claim 11 further comprising instructions tooutput a signal to the actuator to tilt the seat bottom upward inresponse to receiving the input indicative of the potential vehicleimpact.
 14. The computer-program product of claim 10 further comprisinginstructions to output a signal to the actuator to tilt the seat bottomupward in response to receiving the input indicative of the potentialvehicle impact.
 15. The computer-program product of claim 14 furthercomprising instructions to output a signal to the actuator to tilt theseat bottom upward by approximately ten degrees in response to receivingthe input indicative of the potential vehicle impact.
 16. Thecomputer-program product of claim 10 further comprising instructions to:receive input indicative of an avoided vehicle impact; and output asignal to the actuator to return the seat bottom or the seatback to aprevious seating position in response to receipt of the input indicativeof the avoided vehicle impact.
 17. The computer-program product of claim10 further comprising instructions to: receive input indicative of achange in contact of a foot pedal; and output a signal to a secondactuator to move the seat bottom forward or to move the foot pedal. 18.A vehicle seat assembly comprising: a seat bottom adapted to be mountedto a vehicle floor; a seatback adapted to be pivotally mounted adjacentto the seat bottom; a first actuator in cooperation with the seatback; asecond actuator in cooperation with the seat bottom; and a controller inelectrical communication with the first actuator and the secondactuator, and programmed to: receive input indicative of a potentialvehicle impact, in response to receiving the input indicative of thepotential vehicle impact, output a signal to the first actuator to tiltthe seatback rearward by approximately nine degrees, in response toreceiving the input indicative of the potential vehicle impact, output asignal to the second actuator to tilt the seat bottom upward byapproximately ten degrees, receive input indicative of an avoidedvehicle impact, output a signal to the first actuator to return theseatback to a previous seating position in response to receipt of theinput indicative of the avoided vehicle impact, and output a signal tothe second actuator to return the seat bottom to the previous seatingposition in response to receipt of the input indicative of the avoidedvehicle impact.
 19. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 18 furthercomprising a second actuator in cooperation with the seat bottom and thevehicle floor to adjust a position of the seat bottom in a fore and aftdirection, or in cooperation with a foot pedal to adjust the foot pedal;and wherein the controller is further programmed to: receive inputindicative of a change in contact of a foot pedal, and output a signalto the second actuator to move the seat bottom forward or to move thefoot pedal.
 20. A land vehicle comprising: a vehicle floor; at least oneimpact sensor; a vehicle controller in communication with the landvehicle to control travel of the land vehicle, and in communication withthe at least one impact sensor to output a signal indicative of apotential vehicle impact; and at least one seat assembly according toclaim 18 mounted to the vehicle floor, wherein the seat assemblycontroller is in communication with the vehicle controller.